Following an historic election, we take a moment to examine just what an Obama presidency will mean to the United States - what we have to look forward to, and how he will deal with our current financial crisis. And according Jim Davidson, some of the numbers just don’t add up.

Despite the historic trade agreement signed earlier today between Taiwan and China, Taiwan’s TSEC weighted index (^TWII) closed down 2.43%. It seems that fears of global recession trumped this historic economic breakthrough. This turn of events now presents investors with the question: Is it time to get into ^TWII?

Keith Fitz-Gerald says the recession that is now inevitable in the US and Eurozone will not necessarily evolve into a worldwide contraction. US influence in the global economy is waning, while China’s is growing rapidly. Keith says countries with high cash reserves and low external debt should bounce back strongest in the long term.

Over in the UK, where the economy is already shrinking, Ben Traynor looks ahead to the world after this downturn. He sees three major changes to the future global economy: 1) A larger role for governments. 2) Less efficient capital allocation. 3) More protectionism, especially in the US, with disastrous consequences for the dollar.

Justice Litle says the plan is a minefield for investors. He says there are five things you need to know about the government bailout and what it means for your portfolio.